Method and apparatus for generating power



Feb. 20, 1940. v E. T. TIMER 2,190,957

. METHOD APPARATUS FOR GENERATING POWER Filed Nov. 26, 1937 3Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VE N TUE.

E .D WAELD 7'. TURNER- hi5 A TTUE'NE FeB. 20 i E. T. TURNER METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR GENERATING POWER Filed Nov. 26, 19:57 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 caoownw oq /NVE/V TUE. EDWA/EU Z TURNER.

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E. T. TURNER minor). AND APPARATUS 1 0a GENERATING POWER Filed Nov. 26,19:57

3 Sheets-Sh 3 by I W5 A TUFP/VE K Patented Feb. 20, 1940 METHOD ANAPPARATUS FOR GENERAT- HING POWER 1 Edward T. Turner, Dayton, OhioApplication November 26, 1937, Serial 176,506

35 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for generating powerand is designed more particularly for converting heatenergy intomechanical energy. The invention is a further development of, and insome respects an improvement on, the method and apparatus described andillustrated in my Patent No. 2,151,949, issued March 28, 1939. I

One object of the invention is to provide. a

simple method of converting heat energy into mechanical energywhich willhave a high degree of efiiciency.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a method in whichsteam is expanded in a propellant to convert pressure energy intovelocity energy and is then separated from the propellant in a mannerand at a time which will result in the minimum loss in eiiicienoy.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a method by whichthe pressure energy of the propellant will be greatly increased afterthe propellant has acted on a powerelement.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method ofgenerating steam and utilizing the same to convert pressure energy intovelocity energy. l H

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and efi'icientapparatus for performing the aforesaid method. l

A further object of the invention is to. provide an improved compressionnozzle for converting fluid velocity energy into pressureenergy.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved device formixing steam and ameans for utilizing a highly heated propellant togenerate steam in a closed circuit and for mixin the steam with saidpropellant.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the same is described indetail. i In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation,partly in section, of an apparatus embodying my invention; Fig. 2 isaside elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is .a longitudinalsection of the steam generator and expansion nozzle; 4 is a longitudinalsection of theap- I paratus for separating propellant from the steam andfor increasing the pressure oi the propellant;

Fig. 5 is. a section taken on the lines 5-5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is asectional view of the supplemental separator and the condenser; Fig. 7is a diagrammatic view of a complete installation embodying myinvention; partly in section; and Fig. 8 is a g sectional view of amodified form of that part of the apparatus which separates the steamfrom the propellant and imparts increased pressure to the latter.

In carrying out my invention a highly. heated 1O propellant underpressure is circulated through a closed circuit and relatively smallquantities of water are introduced into the propellant in one part ofsaid circuit and converted into steam by the heat of the propellant.timately mixed with the propellant and is expanded within and about thesame to convert the pressure energies of the steam and propellant intopropellant velocity energy. The propellant at high velocity is caused toact on a power ele- 20 ment to generate power and after the propellantand steam have acted on the power element the steam [is again caused toexpand within and about the propellant to convert the pressure energiesof the steam and propellant into velocity 25 energy. If desired, thesteam and propellant may be separated after they pass the power elementand are at relatively low pressures and then] again intimately mixed onewith the other before expanding the same and converting pressure 30 isthen compressed to convert its velocity energy 40 into pressure energyand is returned under relatively high pressure to the first mentionedpart of the circuit, where water is again mixed with the same. Thepropellant is maintained at its high temperature by applying heatthereto, pref- 4,5 erably while it is being returned from the separatorto the first mentioned part of the circuit.

. The steam which is separatedfrom the propellant is condensed andreturned to the propellant circult but the condensate is preferablyfirst pre- 50 heated to expedite its conversion into steam by thepropellant.

The method maybe performed by any suitable apparatus and the propellantmay be of any suitable character, such as an oil. The term .5

This steam is in- 15 water as herein used is intended to include anysuitable liquid which may be vaporized by the application of heatthereto, and the term steam as herein used is intended to include anyVapor which may be generated by heating such liquid. In that particularembodiment of the apparatus here illustrated the propellant is heated ina heater M, which will be hereinafter specifically described, and-isdelivered from said heater, at a high'temperature, to a combined steamgenerat ing and expanding device. As here shown, that device is in theform of a tubular element comprising three sections, and is mounted in avertical position but obviously itmay be arranged in any suitableposition. The uppermost: section ii is provided with a relatively largechamber I? which is connected with a propellant supply pipe 53 leadingfrom the heater. Arranged in the chamber l2 beneath the pipe I3 is anozzle it having its smaller end directed downwardly and of a diametersubstantially less than the diameter of the chamber l2. The secondsection iii of this element is provided with a longitudinal passagewayit substantially smaller in diameter than the chamber l2 and arrangedinline with the lower end of the nozzle 14, the upper end of thepassageway being preferably slightly flared. A water pipe ll extendsthrough the upper section H and nozzle M into the passageway I6 of thesecond section and is provided near the upper end of said passagewaywith a series of relatively small apertures 28. The pip-e is closed at apoint below the apertures but, in the present instance it extends to apoint near the bottom of the section 95 and forms a support for aconical element IS, the shank Bil of which is inserted in the pipe andextends to a point just below the apertures H8. The water pipe i7 isconnected with a suitable source of water supply, as will be hereinafterdescribed, and water is supplied thereto under sufficient pressure tocause the same to be discharged from the apertures 18 and 'into the bodyof highly heated propellant, which is directed downwardly in closecontact with the pipe by the nozzle M, and the water thus dischargedinto the propellant is very quickly converted into steamwhich isintimately mixed with the propellant. This mixture of steam andpropellant is discharged from the lower end of section l into the thirdor lowermost section 2| of the tubu lar element which constitutes anexpansion nozzle and is so shaped that the steam will be caused 1element may take various forms. As shown in Fig. 1 it comprises arelatively small upper portion 24 and the Pelton wheel 22 is mounted ona shaft 25 journaled in the side walls of this part of the casing, theshaft projectingbeyond one side of the casing where it may be connectedwith a device to be operated. The lower portion 26 of the casing is of asize considerably larger than the upper portion thereof and constitutesa receptaclewhich receives the steam and propellant after they havepassed the power element and confines the same at a relatively lowpressure. In the arrangement here shown a burner 21 is associated withthe receptacle 26 for the purpose of providing preliminary heat when theapparatus is first placed in operation and for maintaining thepropellant at the desired temperature during intervals betweenoperations.

After the steam and propellant have passed the power element they aredelivered to a low pressure expansion nozzle 28in which the steam isagain expanded within and about the propellant to convert the pressureenergies of the steam and propellant into propellant velocity energy.When the casing is of the type shown in Fig. l the propellant willseparate from the steam, the latter rising to the top of the receptacledue to its lower specific gravity, and it is therefore desirable toprovide meansfor again mixing the steam with the propellant beforedelivering the same to this low pressure expansion nozzle. For thispurpose I have provided a mixer which, in the form illustrated,comprises a cylindrical shell 29 supported at its lower end in a hollowstructure 38 whichis connected by a pipe 3i with the lower which isprovided with restricted orifice shown at- 35. The inner member 32 has arearwardly tapered passageway 35 which opens into the hollow member 30and the upper portion of this inner member is provided with a pluralityof relatively small apertures 3'1, through which the steam passes fromthe annular chamber 33 to the passageway 36. Arranged in the smallerrear portion of the passageway 36 is a spreader 38, the rear'endof'which is tapered, as shown at and serves to spread the incomingpropellant and cause the same toflow through the passageway 36 in closecontact with the wall thereof, so that the steam entering the passagewaythrough the apertures 21 will be intimately mixed with the propellant;'This spreader is in the present instance supported by a'rod '46 whichis mounted in the hollow member 30, and the forward end of the spreaderis tapered, as shown at 4!, to prevent the formation of eddies or swirlswithin the passageway; The intimately mixed propellant andfsteam aredischarged from this mixer into the lower end of the low pressureexpansion nozzle 28 and the pressure energies thereof are converted intopropellant velocity energy.

The steam and propellant, which are discharged from the low pressureexpansion nozzle at high velocity, are delivered to a separator wherethe steam is separated from the propellant.

This separator is preferably of such a character that the high velocityof the propellant will cause the same to be separated from the steam bycentrifugal force. For this purpose the separator comprises a curvedtubular element 42, the lower end of which is connected with thedischarge end of the expansion nozzle 28, and it is provided in thatside thereof having the shorter radius with an opening 43. This openingis enclosed by an exhaust chamber 44 which is here shown as a shortsleeve extending entirely about the tubular element 42, and providedwith an outlet amass while thesteam will separate from the propellantand escape through the opening to the exhaust chamber.

1 The propellant which has been separated from through the nozzle hasits intermediate portion 'll of reduced diameter and thepassagewayflares both forwardly and rearwardly from this intermediateconstriction. The circumferential wall of the forwardly flared portionof the passageway, as shown at M, is curved about a relatively shortradius. A cone-shapedelement 49. is inserted in this flared forward endof the passageway with its apex adjacent to the constricted intermediateportion of that passageway; The surface of this cone-shaped-element iscurved to conform to the. curvature of the wall. of thepassageway and isspaced from that wall a substantially uniform distance throughout itscircumference, thus forming betweenthe wall of the passageway andthecone-shaped element an annular channel fill which rapidly increasesin diameter from the apex of the cone to the discharge end of thechannel. In this particular arrangement the cone-shaped element 49 has atransverse flange forming a continuation of the annular channel.

Thus the crosssectional area of the channel 50 at its discharge end isvery much greater than the cross; sectional area thereof adjacent theapex of: the cone d9, thus effecting a reduction in the velocity of thefluid and an increase .in the pressure thereof. The cone-shaped elementmay be supported in any suitable, manner and, as hereshown, it iscarried by a plug 52. mounted in the, end wall of a hollow member 53into which the annular channel 56 of the compression nozzle dischargesand which thus constitutes a pressure chamber. This chamber is providedwith an outlet 54 which is connected by a pipe 55 with the heater l0. i

The heater may be of any suitable character and is here shown as of anupright construction and as comprising a propellant receptable 56through which extend flues Bl for products of combustion arising fromthe combustion chamber lit. Arranged about the upper portion of thepropellant receptacle 56 is an exterior circumferential channel 59 whichcommunicates with the interior of the receptacle through a series ofapertures, one of which is shown at 60, and

. thepipe 55, which returns the propellant under one of which is shownat BZ. The channel 6! is provided with an :outlet which is connected bythe pipe lli with the section I I of thesteam generating and expandingdevice. The circumferential channel 6| extends below the bottom of thepropellant receptacle 56 and surroundsa substantialpart of thecombustion chamber 58 and the flow of thepropellant through this chan-'riel'6l1 serves. as a cooling medium to prevent the overheating of theWall of the combustion chamber.

. fThe heateris provided with a suitable burner which, as here shown, islocated below the com- ;bustion'chamber, the bottom of the latter havingacentral opening 63 through which the fuel mixture may enter thecombustion chamber and "be burned therein. In. the particularconstruction illustrated thisburner comprises a tubular element 64:supported beneath the combustion chamber and in line with the opening 63in any suitablemanner, as by suspension rods Which are carriedby a ring66 secured tothe bottom ofI-the combustion chamber. This tubular elementconstitutes a mixing chamber and arranged beneath and spaced from thelower end thereof is a. hollow fuel inlet element 61 which is connectedby a pipe 68 with a suitable source of fuel supply and is provided inits top wall with a series of apertures 69 arranged to discharge thefuel into the tubular element 64. The spacing of this inlet element fromthe tubular element permits a certain amount of air to enter the tubularelement along with the gas or other fuel and to mix therewith. Asubstantially conical spreader ID is arranged in the upper end of thetubular element to spread'the fuel into a diverging annular jet which isprojected through the opening 63 into the combustion chamber. The upperend of the tubular member or mixing chamber 64 being spaced from thering 66 enables additional airto enter the combustion chamber along withthe fuel mixture which is discharged from the tubular element 64 andthus provides air in the proper quantity for efficient combustion. Thespreader H1 may be supported in any suitable manner and, as here shown,it

is provided with 'arod H which is mounted on ;the fuel inlet element 61.

The steam that is separated from the propellant by the separator 42 iscondensed and repower element; as shown in Fig. 7. The steam is removedfrom the separator 13 by a pipe 76 which communicates therewith,preferably above the lower end of the pipe l2, and is conducted to acondenser 11.. The condensate is taken from thecondenserby a pipe l8 andis returned to the.

water pipebymeans of a pump 19. It is preferable, however, that thiscondensate should be preheated before it is returned to the water pipe11 so as to expedite the vaporization thereof. For this purpose aheating element 80 is interposed between the condenser. and the waterpipe. .As here shown, this; heater is supported above the propellantheater and is provided with lines through which the products; ofcombustion pass a from the flues 5"! of the propellantheater to,the

Stack mp: 1 is c nected with. this 'heater'by a pipe 82 andtheheaterisconnected I with the'water pipe by a. pipe 83.

If desired the steam, after having'been isothermallyexpanded andseparated from the propellant and prior to its condensation, may befurther utilized to perform useful work, such as operatsteam may be soused and, asthere shown, the

construction and operation are the same as above described down to thepoint where the steam is delivered from the supplemental separator 13 tothe condenser H. In Fig. 7 there are interposed between the supplementalseparator and the condensercertain devices to be operated by theadiabatic expansion of the low pressure steam from the separator, thesedevices being typical of various devices which may be so operated. Inthe arrangement illustrated the pipe 16, which connects the supplementalseparator 13 with the condenser is provided with a valve 84 and a pipe85 leads from the pipe 16 in advance of the valve 84 110 a fluidoperated device 86 which is here shown in connection with theyevaporator 81 of a refrigerating apparatus and comprises a nozzle 88through which the steam is discharged to a compression device 89,preferably of the type shown at 41- 58, said nozzle causing the steam todraw vapor from the Water in the evaporator 81 through the pipe 90. Thesteam entering the nozzle tilt is expanded adiabatically to a pressurebelow the pressure in the evaporator and the steam and withdrawn vaporare then compressed in the compressor 89 to condenser pressure. The pipe9i leads from the compressor 89 to the pipe 16 between the valve 84- andthe condenser, thus carrying the steam back to the condenser.

H The installation here shown also comprises a second fluid operateddevicewhich may be oper ated alternately with the device 86, and whichis shown conventionally as a turbine 92 which is connected by a pipe 93with thepipe 85 and by a pipe 8 with a pipe 9i. Thepipe 9| is providedwith a valve 95 in advance of its connection with the pipe 94 and thepipe93 is provided with a valve 96. The steam is expanded adiabaticallyin the turbine to a pressure approximating condenser pressure.

Consequently by a proper adjustment of the valves the steam may be takendirectly from the supplemental separator to the condenser or it maybetaken to the condenser through either one .of the two fluid operateddevices. It will be obvious that when the steam is to be utilized tooperate an auxiliary device, as above described, the apparatus must bedesigned to maintain in the'supplemental separator 13 a pressuresomewhat higher than condenser pressure. When the device 36 is used aportion of the condensate from the condenser ll may conveniently be usedtoreplenish the water in the evaporator. For that purpose the pipe l8which leads from the condenser is connected with a receptacle 91 whichin turn is connected by a pipe 98 with the pump 19, the inner end of thepipe 98 extending .Patent, is:

, In some installations it may not-be desirable to separatethe low.pressure steam and propellant prior to expanding the steam in the lowpressure expansion nozzle. Under suchcircumstances the receptacle 26 maybe omitted and the casing for the power element may take the form shownat l0! in Fig. 8, in which it converges downwardly andis'connecteddirectly with the intake end of theflow pressure expansion nozzle I02which is modification thereof, I wish it to be understood that I do notdesire to be limited to the details 1 thereof as various modificationsmay occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having now fully described my invention, what I-claim as new and desireto secure by Letters 1. A method of converting heat energy intomechanical energy which comprises heating a liquid propellant to a hightemperature, subjecting the heated'propellant to pressure in a conduit,introducingwater into said propellant in such quantity that the waterwill be converted into steam '-by the heat of the propellant, expandingsaid steam within and about said propellant and converting the steam andpropellant pressure energies into propellant velocity energy, utilizingsaid propellant velocity energy to actuate a power element; and thenseparating the steam from the propellant and utilizing the separatedsteam for restoring said propellant to its initial pressure.

2. A method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy whichcomprises heating a liquid troducing water into said propellant in sucher element, again expanding the steam within and about the propellant toconvert pressure energy into velocity energy, then separating the steamfrom the propellant, and converting the velocity energy of saidpropellant into pressure energy.

3. A method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy whichcomprises heating a liquid propellant to a high temperature, subjectingthe heated propellant to pressure in a conduit, introducing water intosaid propellantin such quantity that the water will be converted intosteam by the heat of the propellant, expanding said steam within andabout said propeilant and converting. the steam and propellant pressureenergies into propellant velocity energy, utilizing said propellantvelocity energy to actuate a power element, again expanding said steamWithin and about said propellant to convert pressure energy intovelocity energy, then separating the steam from the propellant,converting the propellant velocity energy into propellant pressureenergy, and again heating said propellant.

4. A method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy whichcomprises heating a liquid propellant to a high temperature, subjectingthe heated propellant to pressure in a conduit,

introducing water into said propellantin such quantity that the waterwill be converted into steam by the heat of the propellant, expandingsaid steam Within and about said propellant and converting the steam andpropellant pressure energies into propellant velocity energy, utilizingsaid propellant velocity energy to actuate a power element, againexpanding said steam witbin and about said propellant to convert pres-"sure energy into velocity energy, utilizing a pormechanical energywhich comprises subjecting into propellant velocity energy, utilizingsaid pro mechanical energy which compsises sub ecting a heated liquidpropellant to pressure in an endtion of said propellant velocity energyto separate the propellant from the steam by centrifugal force, andconverting the remaining velocity energy of said propellant intopressure energy.

5. A method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy whichcomprises heating a liquid propellant to a high temperature, subjectingthe heated propellant to pressure in a conduit, introducing water into,said propellant in such quantity thatthe water will be converted intosteam by theheat of the propellant, expanding said steam within andabout said propellant and converting the steam and propel lant pressureenergies into propellant velocity energy, utilizing said propellantvelocity energy to actuate a power element, separating steam from thepropellantat relatively low pressure, again mixing the steam with thepropellant, expanding the steam within and about the propellantand'converting pressure energy into propellant velocity energy,separating the propellant from the steam, and converting the velocityenergy of the propellant into pressure energy.

6. A methodof converting heat energy into a heated liquid propellant topressure inan endless circuit, expanding steam withinand about saidpropellant in a part of said circuit and converting steam and propellantpressure energies pellant velocity energy in the production of me;chanical energy, again expanding said steam within and about saidpropellant in another part i of said, circuit and converting the steamand propellant pressure energies into propellant velocity energy,separating the propellant from the steam and convertingpropellantvelocity energy into propellant pressure energy.

'7. A method of converting heat energy into less circuit, expandingsteam Within and about said propellant in a part of said circuit andconverting steam and propellant pressure energies into propellantvelocity energy, utilizing said pro.-

pellant velocity energy in the production of me chanical energyandseparating the steam from the propellant at a relatively low pressure,again mixing said steam with said propellant in another part of saidcircuit, expanding said steam within and about said propellant andconverting steam and propeliantpressure energies into propellantvelocity energy, separating the propellant from the steam and convertingpropellant velocity energy into propellant pressure energy.

8. The method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy whichcomprises subjecting a highly heated liquid propellant to pressure in anendless circuit, mixing water with said propellant in one part of saidcircuit and convertingthe water into steam, expanding said steam Withinand about said propellantand converting steam and propellant pressureenergies into propellant velocity energy, utilizing said propellantvelocity energy in the production of mechanical energy, then separatingthe steam from the propellant, converting propellant velocity energyinto propellant pressure energy, condensing the separated steam andreturning the condensate to said circuit.

9. The method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy whichcomprises subjecting a highly heated liquid propellant to pressure in anendless circuit, mixing Water with said proing the water into steam,expanding said steam within and about said propellant and convertingsteam and propellant pressure energies into propellant velocity energy,utilizing said propellant velocity energy in the production ofmechanical energy, then separating the steam from the pm pellant,converting propellant velocity energy into propellant pressure energy,condensing the separated steam', heating the condensate and returningthe same to said circuit.

10 pellantin one part of said circuit and convert,-

10. The method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy whichcomprises subjecting a highly heated liquid propellant to pressure in anendless circuit, mixing water with said propellant in one part of saidcircuit and converting the Water into steam, expanding said steam withinand about said propellant and converting steam and propellant pressureenergies into propellant velocity energy, utilizing said propellantvelocity energy in the production of mechanical energy, expanding saidsteam within and about said propellant in another part of said circuitand converting steam and propellant pressure energies into propellantvelocity energy, separating the steam from the propellant, convertingpropellant velocity energy into propellant pressure energy,

condensing the separated steam and returning the same to said circuit. pI i 11. The method of converting heat energy into mechanical energywhich comprises subjecting a highly heated liquid propellant to pressurein an endless circuit, mixing water with said propellant in one part ofsaid circuit and converting the water into steam, expanding said steamwithin and about said propellant and converting steam and propellantpressure energies into propellant velocity energy, utilizing saidpropellant velocity energy in the production of mechanical energy,expanding said steam'withinand about said propellant in" another part ofsaid circuit and converting steam and propellant pressure energies intopropellant velocity energy, separating the steam fromthe propellant,convertingpropellant velocity energy into propellant pressure energy,utilizing the separated steam to actuate a fluid operated device, thencondensing said steam and returning the same to said circuit.

12. In a power apparatus, a conduit including a casing, a power elementin said casing, means for delivering a heated liquid propellant underpressure to one partof said conduit, means for introducing Water intosaid heated propellant 6 7 into propellant velocity energy,"saidlastfmentioned part of said conduit also having means 1 for separatingsaid propellant from said steamand for converting propellant velocityenergy into propellant pressure energy, and means for returning thepropellant under pressuretothe first mentioned part of said conduit, andmeans associated with said conduit to maintain said propellant at a hightemperature. j

13. In a power apparatus, a casing, a power element in said casing,means for mixing steam under pressure with a highly heated liquidpropellant under pressureand expandingsaid steam within and about saidpropellant to convert the "pressure energies of said steam and saidpropellant into velocity energy and for delivering the mixture of steamand propellant to said power element at high'velocity, .means beyondsaid casing for separating said p'ropellant'irom said steam, and meansfor converting velocity energy of the separated propellant into pressureenergy and returning the propellant under pressure to the firstmentioned means.-

14. Ina power apparatus, a power element,

means for introducing water, into a highly heated liquid propellantunder-pressure and converting said water into steam, means for expandingsaid steam within and about said propellant and converting the pressureenergiesfof said. steam and said propellant into propellant velocity"energy and for delivering saidpropellant to saidpower element at highvelocity, a separator arranged beyond said power element to separatesteamv ,from propellant, means interposed between said power element andsaid separator to again ex pandsaid steam within and about said pro-'pellant and convert the pressure energies thereof into propellantvelocity energy and w deliver said propellant and said steam to saidseparator, and means beyond said separator to receive said propellant,convert the velocity energy thereof into pressure energy and toreturnsaid propellant to the first mentioned means.

15. In a powerlapparatusga power element,

means for introducing water into a highly, heated 5 liquid propellantunder pressure and converting said water into steam, means for expandingsaid steam within and about saidpropellant and converting the pressureenergiesof said steam and said propellant into propellant velocityenergy and for delivering said propellant to said powerelement at highvelocity, a separator arranged beyond said power element to separatesteam from propellant, means interposed between said power element' andsaid separatorto againexpand said steam withinand about said propellantand convert the pressure energies thereof into propellant velocityenergy and to deliver said propellant and saidsteam to said I separator,means beyond said -separatorto receive said propellant, convertthevelocity energy 7 thereof into pressure energy and :to return saidpropellant to the first mentioned means, a con denser to receive steamfrom said separator, and

"meansto return the condensate to the first mentioned means.

'16. In a power apparatus,-a power element, means for introducing waterinto aihighlyheated liquid propellant under pressure and converting saidwater into steam, means for expanding said steam within and about saidpropellant and converting the pressure energies of said steam and saidpropellant into propellant velocity energy and for delivering saidpropellant to said power element at high velocity, a separator arrangedbeyond said power element to separate steam from propellant, meansinterposed between said power element and said'lseparator to againexpand said steam within and about said propellant and convert thepressure energies thereof into propellant velocity energy and to deliversaid propellant and said steam to said separator, means beyond saidseparator to receive said propellant, and convert the velocityenergy'thereof into pressureenergy, and a' heater connected withthe'last mentioned means toreceive said 1 propellant therefrom andconnected .with the first mentioned meansatodeliver heated propellantthereto. a

17. In apower apparatus, a casing, a power element mounted in saidcasing, said casing having a part below said power element forming afluid receptacle, means for introducing water into a highly heatedliquid propellant under pressure and converting said water into steam,means for expanding said steam within and about said propellant andconverting the pressure energies of said steam and said propellant intopropellant velocity energy and for .deliveringsaid propellant to saidpower element athigh velocity, a mixer, to receive said steam and saidpropellant from, said receptacle, means connected with said mixertoexpand said steam within and about said propellant and convert thepressure energies thereof Iinto propellant velocity energy-means toseparate said propellant from said steam, to con-' vert propellantvelocity energy into propellant pressure energy and to return saidpropellant I under pressure to the first mentioned means.

'18. I n a power apparatus, a casing,,a power element mounted in saidcasing, said casing having a part below said power element forming afluid receptacle, means for introducing water into a highly heatedliquid propellant under pressure and converting said water into steam,means for expanding said steam within and about said propellant andconverting the pres-. sure energies of said steam and said propellantintopropellant velocity energy and for delivering said propellant tosaid powerelement at high velocity, a mixer comprising inner and outertubular members spaced apart to form an annular chamber between them,said inner member having a rearwardly tapered passageway and havingaseries of apertures in its forward portion, means fordeliveringpropellant from said receptacle to the rear end of said inner member,means for delivering steam from said receptacle to said chamber, meansconnected with the forward end of said passageway to expand said steamwithin and about, said propellant and convert pressure energies thereofinto propellant velocity energy, means to separate said propellant -from.the steam, to convert propellant velocity energy into propellantpressure energy andto return said propellantunder pressure to the firstmentioned means. H

19.'In a power apparatus, a casing, a power,

element mounted in' said casing, said casing having a part belowsaidpower'element forming a I fluid receptacle, means for introducingwater into a highly heated liquid propellant under pressure andconverting said water into steam, means for expanding said steam withinand about said propellant and converting the pressure energies of saidsteamiandsaid propellant into propellant velocity energy and fordelivering said propellantv to said power element at high velocity,

a mixer comprising inner and outer tubular members spaced apart to forman annular chamin the rear portionof said passageway to cause saidpropellant to flow along the apertured wall of said inner member, meanfor delivering steam from said receptacle to said chamber, meansconnected with the forward end of said passageway to expand said steamwithin and about said propellant and convert pressure energies thereofinto propellant velocity energy, means to separate said propellant fromthe steam, to convert propellant velocity energy into propellant pres:sure energy and to return said propellant under pressureto the firstmentioned means.

20. In a power apparatus, a casing, a power element mounted in saidcasing, said casing having a part below said power element forming afluid receptacle, means for introducing water into a highly heatedliquid propellant under pressure and converting said water into steam,means for expanding said steam withinand about said propellant andconverting thepressure energies of said steam and said propellant intopropellant velocity energy and for delivering said propellant to saidpower element at high velocity, a mixer to receive said steam and saidpropellant from said receptacle, means connected with said mixer toexpand said steam withinland about said propellant and convert thepressure energies thereof into propellant velocity energy, a centrifugal separator to separate said propellant from said steam, and meansto convert the velocity energy of the separated propellant into pressureenergy and to return saidpropellant to the first mentioned means.

21.,In a power apparatus, a power element,

means for mixing steam under pressure with 'a highly heated liquidpropellant under pressure and expanding said steam within and about saidpropellant to convert the pressure energies of said steam and saidpropellant into propellant,

velocity energy and for delivering the mixture of steam and propellantto said power element at high velocity, means for again impartingvelocity energy to said mixture of steam and propellant after it hasacted on said power element, a centrifugal separator to separate saidpropellant from said steam, and means to convert propellant velocityenergy into pressure energy and return said propellant to the firstmentioned means.

22. In a power apparatus, a power element,

" means for introducing water into a highly heated and about saidpropellant and convert steam and propellant pressure energies intopropellant velocity energy, a separator comprising awcurved tubularelement connected with said expanding means and having an opening inthat side thereof which has the shorter radius, and a casing enclosingsaid opening and providedwith an outlet, and means toconvert propellantvelocity energy into pressure energy and return said propellant to thefirst mentioned means.

23. In a power apparatus, a power element, means for introducing waterinto a highly heated liquid propellant under pressure and convertingsaid water into steam, means for expanding said steam within and aboutsaid propellant and converting the pressure energies or said steam andsaid propellant into propellant velocityenergy and for delivering saidpropellant to said power element at high velocity, means beyond said.-power element to again expand said steamwithin and about said propellantand convert steam and propellant pressure energies into propellantvelocity energy, a separator to separate, the propellant from the steam,an expanding device connected with said separator and having in itsforward portion an annular passageway of,

gradually increasing diameter and means for connecting said annularpassageway with the first mentioned means.

24. In a power apparatus, a power element, means for introducing waterinto a highly heated liquid propellant under pressure and convertingsaid water into steam, means for expanding said steam within and aboutsaid propellant and con verting the pressure energies of said steam andsaid propellant into propellant velocity energy and for delivering saidpropellant to said power element at high velocity, a heater comprising apropellent receptacle, a combustion chamber beneath said receptacle, anexterior channel extending about and communicating with said receptacleand overlapping said combustion chamber, an outlet conduit leading fromsaid, channel to the first mentioned means, and means beyond said powerelement for separating the propellant from the steam and for deliveringthe separated propellant under pressure to; the propellant receptacle ofsaid heater.

25. In a power apparatus, a power element,

means for introducingwater into a highly heated liquid propellantunderpressure and converting said water into steam, means for expandingsaid steam within and about said propellant and converting the pressureenergies of said steam. and

said propellant into propellant velocity energy,

said power element for separating the propellant from the steam and fordelivering the propellant, to said receptacle, and a burner beneath saidreceptacle including an upright tubular element, a fuel inlet elementbeneath and spaced from said tubular element and provided with apertures arranged to discharge fuel into said tubular element, and aspreader at the upper end of said tubular element. l f

26. A method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy whichcomprises circulating a heated liquid propellant, through a conduit,isothermally expanding steam within and. about said propellant andconverting steam and pro pellant pressure energiesinto propellantvelocity energy, utilizing said propellantvelocity energy to performwork, separating the steam from'the propellant, and adiabaticallyexpanding the separated steam and utilizing form work.

2'7. In a power apparatus, a power element, means for mixing steam underpressure with a highly heated propellant under pressure and ex pandingthe same in and about said propellant to convert pressure energies ofsaidsteam and said propellant into velocity energy and fordelivering thesame to perseparating said propellant lfroini v compression nozzlearranged toreceiv'e the separat'ed propellant and having a longitudinalpassageway, the intermediate'portion of which is ofreduced diameter andthe forward portion of which isannular in form and gradually increasesin diameter from the intermediate portion to the discharge end thereofto convert velocity energy of said propellant intopressure energy, and aconduit-connecting'the discharge end of said compression nozzle withsaid first mentioned means.

28. Ina powerapparatus, a power element means for mixing steam underpressure with a highly heated liquid propellant under pressure andexpanding said steam in and about said propellant to convert pressureenergies of said steam'and. said propellant into velocity energy and fordelivering said propellant to said power element at high velocity,meansjbeyond said power element for separating said propellant from saidsteam, and a compression nozzlehaving a longitudinal passageway theintermediate portion of which is of reduced diameter, one "end of saidpassageway being arranged to receive the separated propellant and theother end portion of said passageway being flared, a substantialcone-shaped element inserted in said flared portionof said passagewayand spaced a substantially uniform distance from all parts of the.

wall thereof to convert velocityvenergy of said propellant into pressureenergy, and a conduit connecting the discharge end of said compressionnozzle withsaid first mentioned means. 29. In a power apparatus, a'casing, a power. element mounted in said casing, said casing having apart below said power element forming a liquid receptacle, means formixing steam under pressure with a highly heated liquid propellant underpressureand expanding said steam within and about said propellant toconvert pressure energies of said steam and propellant to propellantvelocity energy and for delivering said propellant to said power elementat a high velocity, a mixer to receive said steam and pro.-

pellant, from said receptacle, means connected with saidmixer to expandsaid steam within and about said propellantand convert the pressureenergies thereof into propellant velocity energy; 'means to separatesaid propellant fromsaid steam, and means to convert propellant velocityenergy into propellant pressure energy and to return said propellantunder pressure to the first mentioned means.

30. In a power apparatus, 'a conduitincluding acasing, a power elementin said casing, means for mixing steam under pressure .with a heatedliquid propellant under pressure in one part of said conduit andexpanding said steam within and about said propellant to convertpropellant and steam pressure energies into propellant velocity energyand to deliver said propellant at high velocity tosaid power element,another part of said conduit being arranged to receive said steam andpropellant from said casing and having means to again expand said steamwithin and about said propellant to convert steam and pro pellantpressure energies into propellant velocity energy, said last mentionedpart of said cone duit also, having means for separating said propellantfrom said steam and for converting propellant velocity energy intopropellant pressure energy, means for returning the propellant underpressure to the first mentioned part of said conduit, and meansassociated with said conduit to maintain said 'p'rtteniiit atfa hightemperature,

31. In apower apparatus, apower element,

means for mixing steam under pressure wltha' highly heated liquidpropellant under pressure and expanding said steam within and about saidpropellant to convertsteam and propellant pres; sure energies intopropellant velocity energy and for delivering said propellant to saidpower ele-l ment at high velocity, a separator arranged be f yond saidpower element to separate steam irorn thepropellant, means interposedbetween said power element andsaid separator to again expand said steamwithin and about said propellant and convert the pressure energiesthereof into propellant velocity energy'ancl to deliver said propellantand said steam to said separator,

and means beyond saidseparator to receive said propellant, convert thevelocity thereof into pres sure, energy andto return'said propellant tothe first mentioned means. J

32. In a power apparatus, a casing, a power element mountedin saidcasing, said casing having a part below said power element-forming aliquid receptacle, means for mixing steam under pressure with a highlyheated liquid propellant under pressureand expandingsaid steam withinand about said propellant to convert steam and propellant pressureenergies into propellant velocity energy and to deliver said propellantto,

said power elementlat high'velocity, a mixer comprising inner and outertubular members spaced apart to form an annular chamber between them,said inner member having a' rearwardl y tapered passagewayand' havingjaseries of apertures in its forward portion, means for deliveringpropellant from said receptacleto the rear end of said inner member,means for delivering steam from said casing to saidchamber, meansconnected with the forward end of said. passageway to expand said steamwithin andabout said pro pellant and. convert. pressure, energiesthereof into propellant velocity energy, means to separate saidpropellant from the steam, convert propellant velocity energyintopropellant pressure energy and return said propellant under pressure tothe first mentioned means.

33. In a power apparatus, a

power element,

means forflmixing steam under pressure with a highly heated liquidpropellant under pressure and expanding said steam within and about saidpropellant'to convert steam and propellant pres- I sure energies intopropellant velocity; energy and to deliver said propellant to said powerelement at high. velocity, means beyond said power ele- I ment to againexpand said steam within and about said propellant and convert the steamand propellant energies into propellant velocity energy, a separatorcomprising a curved tubular element connected with said expanding meansand having'an opening in that side thereof which has the shorter radius,and a casing enclosing said opening and, provided with an outlet, and

means to convert propellant velocity energy into pressure energy andreturn said propellant to the first mentioned means. 7

34. The method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy whichcomprises steam under pressure with a highly heated liquid propellant,expanding said steam Within and about said propellant to convert steamand pro-- pellant pressure energies into propellant velocity energy,utilizing said propellant velocity energy to actuate a power element,again expanding the steam within and about propellant to convertpressure energy into-velocity energy; then sepamixing rating the steamfrom the propellant and converting the velocity energy of saidpropellant into pressure energy.

35. The method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy whichcomprises mixing steam under pressure with a highly heated liquidpropellant under pressure, expanding the steam in and about saidpropellant to convert steam and propellant energies into propellantvelocity 10 energy, utilizing said propellant velocity energy to actuatea power element, separating steam from the propellant at relatively lowpressure, again mixing the steam with the propellant, expanding the samewithin and about the propellant and converting pressure energy intopropellant velocity energy, separating the propellant from the steam andconverting the velocity energy of the propellant into pressure energy.

